“
“…by this time YOU OUGHT TO BE TEACHERS, YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TEACH YOU the elementary truths (THE BASICS) of God’s word ALL OVER AGAIN…let US…PRESS ON TO MATURITY, not laying again the foundational teachings…” (Heb. 5:12, 6:1-3) The writer of Hebrews is saying “by this time, in your Christian walk, you should be SHOWING AND TEACHING others how you have learned to LIVE AND WALK in a Christ like manner.” It is not enough to know a telephone number; if you want to talk to someone, YOU MUST DIAL THE NUMBER. We must be about DOING not just KNOWING. Like Peter when he said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but WHAT I DO HAVE I GIVE YOU: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk…So he, leaping up, stood and walked…leaping, and praising God.” (Acts 3:6-8) The disciples then were, “…daily in the temple, and in every house, THEY DID NOT CEASE teaching and preaching Jesus AS THE CHRIST.” (Acts 5:42)
So, just what must we do to go beyond the basics? Paul said, “…I PRESS ON, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND and REACHING FORWARD…I PRESS TOWARD THE GOAL FOR THE PRIZE OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.” (Phil. 3:12-14)
-Bill Stockham